Category: UK craft blog

A long time ago in my previous life, I did sewing and blogging as my only job. And I used to write patterns occasionally for Sewing World Magazine. This tote is one of them. Here’s the blurb I wrote for it: This is, at heart, a simple tote bag made even more functional by… Read More Tutorial: Take it to Work Tote Bag

Thank you all for your lovely kind words on my ‘Hi after 3 years’ post. It was so lovely to be able to reconnect with you, and to be welcomed back with such open arms really means a lot. I promised a review of a bag I made, and I’ll go through any mods or… Read More Swoon Belle Baby Bag: Review and Mods

Uh…Yeah. The last time I posted was nearly 3 years ago. If you want to get into the details of a relative stranger’s life, read on. If not, no hard feelings and I’ll be back later this week with a handbag pattern review and mods for my quilted version of Swoon’s Belle Baby Bag: So. 3… Read More Sorry About My 3 Year Absence…

Like, I guess we don’t technically *see* each other…but I have done some sewing, really! And my studio was featured in Sewing World Magazine! Sorry for the crappy pictures – I seem to have lost my camera’s memory card and I’m relying on my iPhone. But I’ve been making other stuff! That Feminism quote is… Read More Long Time No See! (?)

I finally have a finish! I made this backpack using Nordika fabric designed by the amazing Jeni Baker. The pattern is from Lisa Lam’s A Bag For All Reasons. I used canvas and wadding and did a QAYG method. It’s a big backpack, and the canvas is kinda heavy, so if you were worried about weight you… Read More Hey, Wanna Meet Up In Exeter Next Month?

The kind folks over at Jacqui Small sent me a review copy of Contemporary Upholstery by Hannah Stanton. Although the book was free, the opinions are genuine and are really mine. So since I had the book, I figured I’d better give it a genuine test drive. I found this chair at a sewing shop… Read More Book Review: Contemporary Upholstery by Hannah Stanton

So. Long time no see, eh? I’m sorry about that. We moved, and also I have been having ups and downs in the realm of depression. It’s awesome. But pottering around my new house is cool, and feeding the birds makes me happy, and I haven’t managed to kill any of my orchids yet, so I… Read More Like a Test Post, Only Weirder

Wow. I just realised I haven’t posted anything in over 2 months. Sorry! I’m calling it my Depression Vacation. When I got back from visiting my family this summer, I basically fell apart. (Not physically; that would be on the news!) I’m not exactly sure what happened, but the result has been that I had… Read More The Depression Vacation

Still convalescing here…got a bit of a cold and a case of the ‘blahs’. Fortunately it’s half term here so Savi and I both have a week long holiday. Savi’s cough is so rattling and awful that I cringe every time I hear it. Poor kid. It was kind of her to share it with… Read More Manic Monday Linky Party

Sewing World Magazine is out now and my quilt is on the cover!!! SQUEAL!!! If you can’t find it in a bookstore/newsagent near you, you can order it from Traplet Publications’s website. My quilt is a layer cake quilt. I had to scramble to get it done before I went to Texas. To be honest… Read More (I’m in) Sewing World Magazine 😉

About Me:

I'm a geeky, happy, sewing-obsessed wife, mother and crafter. I'm an American living happily in the UK with my lovely husband and tween daughter. I create handmade handbags, quilts, and other accessories. I love writing my blog and publishing craft tutorials, and I also write quilt and bag patterns. If you're looking to be featured or want other information, email me at jennaexcell(@)gmail.com